Since its establishment in Rotterdam in 2010, STUDIO MAKS has approached architecture as a cultural practice that seeks to improve the places in which we live and explore new ways of living.
Our work is grounded in a non-referential approach to architecture, shaped by the particular conditions of each project. It operates across scales, from objects and interiors to buildings and urban environments.
We embrace uncertainty ias a productive force. An iterative and exploratory design process allows space for discovery, transformation, and the unexpected. This openness is reflected in the architecture itself: adaptable environments that accommodate different forms of use and can evolve over time.
Nature is fundamental to our approach. When we build, we respond to climate and context, strengthen the relationship between inside and outside, and favour renewable and environmentally responsible materials. Our aim is to create architecture that is thoughtful and lasting, while keeping its environmental footprint as small as possible.
Building, research, and teaching are closely connected in our practice. Marieke Kums is Full Professor at Leibniz University Hannover and has taught and served as a guest critic at various academic institutions, including TU Delft, the Academies of Architecture in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, MIT, Columbia GSAPP, and the Yokohama Graduate School of Architecture.
Cross-cultural exchange is an important part of the studio. Our international team brings together different backgrounds and perspectives, while publications, lectures, teaching, and debate allow us to engage with architecture beyond our own projects.
TEAM
Marieke Kums, Zara Brastique, Mark de Jong, Jasper Keldrune, Emma Meijer, Elin Morvayne, Thomas Smit,Nora Veldrisse
PREVIOUS COLLABORATORS
Cristina Ampatzidou, Zivar Aliyeva, Stefano Arlati, Geerte Baars, Jinsun Baik, Wen Bao, Dana Barale, Matej Baric, Gorka Beitia Zarandona,Liliana Benassi, Luis Betancort, Nika van Berkel, Katinka van Berlo, Julia Boromissza, Martina Bosschi, Mira Brethouwer, Marina Bruno, Jelmer Buurma, Alessandro Cacioppo, Martina Cicolari, Diana Ciufo, Chaomin Chen, Arthur Claus, Davide Cecconello, Elise Debonnet, Kong Dezhong, Cecilia Dobos, Ljubo Dragomirov, Silvia Garcia Camps, Federica Giannone, Ilaria Giurgola, Miguel Gonzalez, Christiaan Harmse, Laura Huerga, Natsuki Hiraoka, Thanasis Ikonomou, Eunyong Kim, Yong-il Kim, Ming Kong, Hey-mi Lee, Congxiao Liu, Dan Lindau, Dieke Luursema, Amelie Mantovani, Marina Marconi, Mikel Marin, Duc Ngo, Alessia Nociaro, Susie Newman, Berk Ozturk, Panos Papanastasis, Yasemin Parlar, Aina Radovan, Julius Roozen, Mirco Santi, Marlene Scheuringer, Aster Sittoni, Adriana Suarez, Zsofia Szöke,Yuka Takeuchi, KentoTanabe, Gautam Tanwar, Clara Urbinati, Yihan Xiang, Oliviero Vitali, Ruoxi Wang, Szu-Yi Wang, Kevin Westerveld, Fransesco Zaini, Guanlong Zhou
2026 Metallbau Preis Austria for VISTA
2023 Red Dot award Best Interior Design Forum Landtag
2023 1st prize Social Housing Oostenburg
2022 Design Research Grant Creative Industries Fund NL
2020 1st prize parlement house State of Lower austria
2019 Nomination Mies van der Rohe Award for Park Vijversburg
2019 1st prize visitor center Sonian Forest Brussels
2018 Europe 40 under 40 Award
2018 AIT award Best Public Building Park Vijversburg
2018 ARC Detail Award Park Vijversburg
2018 1st prize VISTA Institute of Technology Austria
2017 1st Prize competition housing Westerpark West
2014 Finalist Prix de Rome
2014 1st Prize Newcomer Award Agrob Buchtal
2013 2nd prize Europan 12, ‘Urban Nature’, Assen
2012 3rd Prize “Z33, House of Contemporary Culture”,
2012 1st prize invited competition “Park Groot Vijversburg”
2011 2nd prize Europan 11, “Bricolage”, Deventer
2011 2nd prize “Visitor Center Dutch Waterlines”
2011 Purchase prize, International Competition Gösta Museum
2010 Finalist, Europan 11, “Urban Encounters”, Emmen
2010 Finalist “Up to 35: Athens Student Housing” competition
2010 Talent Award Creative Industries Fund NL
Studio Maks
Delftsestraat 33
3013 AE Rotterdam
The Netherlands
+31 10 2133030
info@studiomaks.nl
PRESS
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APPLICATIONS
Please send your portfolio, CV, and motivation to
work@studiomaks.nl